Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to her oral statement of 1 March 2022 on Humanitarian support for Ukrainians, whether the humanitarian sponsorship pathway route will be open to the immediate families of Ukrainian students studying in the UK.

This Government has made clear its support for Ukrainians fleeing in fear for their lives. We have brought forward a bespoke humanitarian support package for the people of Ukraine, having listened carefully to the Ukrainian Government.

The bespoke ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme allows individuals, charities, community groups and businesses in the UK to bring Ukrainians to safety. This includes those individuals with no family ties to the UK.

Ukrainian students in the UK will be able to register their interest to become a sponsor of a named individual to come to the UK, as long as they meet the sponsorship eligibility criteria.

All sponsors must be over the age of 18 and be able to provide accommodation for at least 6 months. For those who are not a British citizen, they must have leave to remain in the UK for at least 6 months so they have the ability to provide at least 6 months’ accommodation for those who they sponsor.

There will be no limit on the number of arrivals, and those who come to the UK on the scheme will have permission to live and work here for up to 3 years. They will also have access to healthcare, benefits, employment support and education.

For further information on the Homes for Ukraine Scheme can be found here:

https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk/